(Arnolds Park)– Another lakes area community is considering a ban on the open burning of yard waste.
The Arnolds Park city council is looking into the matter after hearing from a concerned resident at their meeting Wednesday evening.
Suzi Kalsow represents a group that’s seeking the ban. She cites health concerns, impact to the environment, safety and quality of life. She says billowing smoke from fires in her neighborhood of Helms Drive and Dam Road at times make it impossible to go outside or open her windows.
Kalsow added she isn’t requesting an all out ban on fires, saying recreational fires and the use of outdoor fire places and grills should still be allowed.
Talk of a possible ban on yard waste burning is drawing concern from some, especially those with a lot of trees on their property. One man told the council that in cases such as his, it simply isn’t practical to bag leaves. He says the city would have to come up with some other way to dispose of such large quantities of leaves if it’s going to implement a burning ban.
The council took no action on the matter Wednesday evening. It will be put back on the agenda for the next meeting. In the meantime, city staff will review similar ordinances already in effect in other towns.
Spirit Lake is the only lakes area community that currently has such a ban in place.
